μέθη G3178
drunkenness; the state of intoxication or habitual excessive drinking
This word describes drunkenness—both the state of intoxication and the lifestyle pattern of excessive drinking. Paul consistently lists it among behaviors incompatible with kingdom life. Luke 21:34 warns disciples to guard their hearts 'lest they be weighed down with...drunkenness and cares of this life,' so the day of judgment doesn't catch them unprepared. Romans 13:13 contrasts walking properly 'as in the daytime' versus engaging in 'orgies and drunkenness.' Galatians 5:21 includes it among the 'works of the flesh,' warning that 'those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.' The term emphasizes loss of self-control and spiritual vigilance.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Drunkenness, intoxication, or habitual excessive drinking. Jesus warns in Luke 21:34 to watch carefully 'lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life' so that day doesn't catch you unprepared—drunkenness dulls spiritual alertness. Paul lists it among vices: Romans 13:13 contrasts proper conduct with 'orgies and drunkenness,' and Galatians 5:21 includes it in 'works of the flesh,' warning that practitioners 'will not inherit the kingdom of God.' The word emphasizes loss of self-control incompatible with Christian vigilance. 3×
AR["السُّكرُ", "السُّكرِ", "سُكْرٍ"]·ben["মদ্যপানে", "মাতালতা,", "মাতালতাগুলিতে,"]·DE["Trunkenheit", "μέθῃ"]·EN["drunkenness"]·FR["ivresse"]·heb["שִׁכְרוֹנוֹת", "שִׁכָּרוֹן"]·HI["नशे", "मतवालपनों-में", "शरबि,"]·ID["kemabukan", "kemabukan,", "mabuk"]·IT["methai", "methe", "ubriachezza"]·jav["mendem,", "mendhem,", "wuru,"]·KO["술-취함과", "술취함,", "술취함에"]·PT["bebedeiras,", "bebedices", "embriaguez"]·RU["не-", "пьянства", "пьянстве"]·ES["borracheras", "embriaguez"]·SW["ulevi", "ulevi,", "ulevi-kupita-kiasi"]·TR["içkiyle", "sarhoşluklar", "sarhoşlukta"]·urd["شراب-نوشیاں", "نشے", "نشے-میں"]
Related Senses
H7200 1. Qal: to see, perceive (1257×)G4771 2. you (singular address) (1077×)H8085 1. Qal: hear, perceive aurally (921×)H0859a 1. you (2nd person masculine singular pronoun) (743×)H0398 1. eat (consume food) (697×)H4191 1. die (Qal: natural/general death) (645×)G3708 1. see, perceive visually (419×)G0191 1. hear, perceive sound (360×)H???? 3. (352×)G3708 2. behold, look (exclamatory) (256×)H7272 1. foot (body part) (236×)H8354 1. drink, consume liquid (209×)H3205 1. Qal active: bear/give birth (female subject) (204×)H3205 2. Qal active: beget/father (male subject) (198×)H2421 1. Qal: live, be alive (177×)H8085 2. Qal: listen, heed, pay attention (172×)H2416a 1. alive, living (state/attribute) (146×)H2416e 1. life, lifespan, lifetime (145×)G2198 1. be alive, have life (133×)H8193 1. lip, lips (body part) (123×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
μέθη, ἡ, (for μεθύω: μέθη, compare πληθύω: πλήθᾱ) strong drink, καλῶς ἔχειν μέθης to be pretty well drunk, Refs 5th c.BC+; μ. εὐώδης παλαιός fragrant old wine, Refs 5th c.BC+ __II drunkenness, μ. αἰώνιος Refs 5th c.BC+; μέθῃ χρῆσθαιRefs 4th c.BC+: plural, carousals, NT+5th c.BC+ __II.2 metaphorically, ὑπὸ μέθης τοῦ φόβου ναυτιᾷ Refs 5th c.BC+ __III Μέθη personified, in Art, Refs 2nd c.AD+